Elliptical exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

An elliptical exercise apparatus includes: a main frame; a crank assembly mounted on a rear end of the base support; a pair of swing rods pivotally connected to a front and of the base support; a pair of couplers slidably and respectively mounted on lever portions of the swing rods; a pair of guide rails, each being pivotally connected to the respective lever portion and the crank assembly so as to perform a reciprocating movement when the lever portions are swung; a pair of footrests slidably mounted on the guide rails to be alternately moved along reciprocating routes respectively; and a pair of linkages, each being pivotally connected to a bottom end of the respective swing rod and the respective footrest such that the footrests are moved alternately and respectively along elliptical paths.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application No. 095112453, filed on Apr. 7, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an elliptical exercise apparatus, more particularly to an elliptical exercise apparatus which is adjustable to provide a satisfactory elliptical path for suiting different operators.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional elliptical exercise apparatus generally includes footrests which are affixed to footrest shafts that perform a reciprocating movement by means of swinging of swing rods. Thus, during operation, only a limited elliptical route of the footrests can be achieved. As a result, the operator cannot obtain a sufficient amount of exercise, and cannot exercise with comfort. In a Taiwanese Utility Model Patent No. M282705 filed by the applicant, there is disclosed an elliptical exercise apparatus, which includes footrests that are slidable along guide rails when the footrests move along an elliptical route so as to permit the operator's feet to stretch sufficiently and to enable the operator to work out smoothly and comfortably. However, it is desirable to improve the elliptical exercise apparatus so that the elliptical route of the footrests is adjustable to meet different exercising requirements, and the span between the footrests is adjustable to suit different operators.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide an elliptical exercise apparatus which can meet different exercising requirements and suit different operators.

According to this invention, the elliptical exercise apparatus includes a main frame, a crank assembly, a pair of swing rods, a pair of couplers, a pair of locking units, and a treadle assembly. The main frame includes a base support adapted to be supported on a supporting surface and having front and rear ends, and an upstanding support connected to the front end of the base support. The crank assembly includes a crank pin which defines a rotating axis, and which is mounted on the rear end of the base support, and a pair of crank shafts which are disposed diametrically opposite to each other relative to the rotating axis. Each of the swing rods has a swing fulcrum pivotally connected to the upstanding support, and handle and lever portions disposed respectively at upper and lower opposite sides of the swing fulcrum. The lever portion is swung about the swing fulcrum, and has a bottom end and a positioning segment disposed between the bottom end and the swing fulcrum. Each of the couplers is mounted on and is slidable along the positioning segment. Each of the locking units is disposed to arrest sliding movement of the respective coupler along the positioning segment. The treadle assembly includes a pair of guide rails, a pair of footrests, and a pair of linkages. Each of the guide rails has a rear rail end pivotally connected to the respective crank shaft, a front rail end pivotally connected to the respective couplers, and a middle rail portion interposed between the front and rear rail ends and disposed to perform a reciprocating movement when the lever portion is swung. The footrests are mounted on and are slidable along the middle rail portions of the guide rails, respectively, such that by virtue of the rotation of the crank shafts about the rotating axis, the footrests are alternately moved along reciprocating routes respectively. Each of the linkages has front and rear pivot ends that are respectively and pivotally connected to the bottom end and the respective footrest such that the footrests are moved alternately and respectively along elliptical paths.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the preferred embodiment of an elliptical exercise apparatus according to this invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are fragmentary sectional views of a portion of the preferred embodiment in which a coupler is at different height positions; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating different swing paths of a swing rod of the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of an elliptical exercise apparatus according to the present invention is shown to comprise a main frame 1, a crank assembly 6, a pair of swing rods 2, a pair of couplers 31, a pair of first locking units 3, and a treadle assembly 4.

The main frame 1 includes a base support 11 which is adapted to be supported on a supporting surface, such as a ground surface, and which has front and rear ends 111,112 opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction, and an upstanding support 12 which is connected to the front end 111 of the base support 11.

The crank assembly 6 includes a wheel 61 which has a crank pin 62 that is mounted at a center thereof to define a rotating axis, and that is mounted on the rear end 112 of the base support 11 so as to be rotatable about the rotating axis, and a pair of crank shafts 63 which are disposed adjacent to a rim of the wheel 61, which are diametrically opposite to each other relative to the rotating axis, and which extend in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction.

Each of the swing rods 2 has a swing fulcrum 21 which is pivotally connected to the upstanding support 12, and handle and lever portions 22,23 which are disposed respectively at upper and lower opposite sides of the swing fulcrum 21. The lever portion 23 is swung about the swing fulcrum 21, and has a bottom end 231 and a positioning segment 232 which is disposed between the bottom end 231 and the swing fulcrum 21. The positioning segment 232 of each of the swing rods 2 has a plurality of adjustment holes 24 displaced from one another along a lengthwise axis thereof.

Each of the couplers 31 is in tubular shape, is sleeved on the positioning segment 232 so as to be slidable therealong, and has a through hole 311 which extends therethrough to be aligned with a selected one of the adjustment holes 24.

Each of the first locking units 3 includes a first nut member 321 which has a first tapped hole and which is disposed on a respective one of the couplers 31 so as to register the first tapped hole with the through hole 311, and a first locking bolt 32 which has a first threaded segment 323 that threadedly engages the first tapped hole, and a first latch segment 322 that is disposed to extend from the first threaded segment 323. By virtue of screw movement of the first threaded segment 323 in the first tapped hole, the first latch segment 322 is movable to a locking position, where the first latch segment 322 is inserted into a selected one of the adjustment holes 24 so as to arrest a sliding movement of a respective one of the couplers 31 along the positioning segment 232.

The treadle assembly 4 includes a pair of guide rails 41, a pair of footrests 42, a pair of linkages 43, and a pair of second locking units 5. Each of the guide rails 41 has a rear rail end 412 which is pivotally connected to a respective one of the crank shafts 63, a front rail end 411 which is pivotally connected to a respective one of the couplers 31, and a middle rail portion 413 which is interposed between the front and rear rail ends 411,412, and which performs a reciprocating movement when the lever portion 23 of a respective one of the swing rods 2 is swung. The footrests 42 are mounted on and are slidable along the middle rail portions 413 of the guide rails 41, respectively, such that by virtue of the rotation of the crank shafts 63 about the rotating axis, the footrests 42 are alternately moved along reciprocating routes respectively.

Each of the linkages 43 includes front and rear tubular pieces 431,432 which respectively have front and rear pivot ends 435,436 that are respectively and pivotally connected to the bottom end 231 of the respective swing rod 2 and the respective footrest 42 such that the footrests 42 are moved alternately and respectively along elliptical paths, and first and second connected ends 437,438 which are telescopically fitted to each other so as to adjust a distance between the front and rear pivot ends 431,432. The second connected end 438 of the rear tubular piece 432 has a plurality of adjustment holes 434 displaced from one another along a lengthwise axis thereof. The first connected end 437 of the front tubular piece 431 has a through hole 433 which extends therethrough to be aligned with a selected one of the adjustment holes 434.

Each of the second locking units 5, similar to the first locking unit 3, includes a second nut member 51 which has a second tapped hole that is registered with the through hole 433, and a second locking bolt 50 which has a second threaded segment 53 that threadedly engages the second tapped hole, and a second latch segment 52 that extends from the second threaded segment 53 such that by virtue of screw movement of the second threaded segment 53 in the second tapped hole, the second latch segment 52 is movable to be inserted into a selected one of the adjustment holes 434 so as to arrest the movement of the first connected end 437 of the front tubular piece 431 relative to the second connected end 438 of the rear tubular piece 432.

When the operator stands on the footrests 42 with hands grasping the handle portions 22, and exerts a force on the footrests 42 in an alternating manner, the guide rails 41, the linkages 43 and the crank assembly 6 move by virtue of the interconnections described above to result an elliptical motion of the footrest 42, thereby enabling in the operator's feet to travel along an elliptical route.

When the span between the footrests 42 is too small or large and makes the operator feel uncomfortable during exercising, the second locking bolts 50 can be screwed out to disengage the second latch segments 52 from the adjustment holes 434 so as to permit movement of the second tubular pieces 432 along the lengthwise axis, and, the distance between the front and rear pivot ends 435,436 can thus be adjusted to lengthen or shorten the sliding course of the footrests 42 on the respective guide rails 41, thereby resulting in adjustment of the span between the footrests 42 as well as the span between the operator's feet.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, when it is desired to increase or reduce the swing path (L1,L2) of the swing rods 2 so as to lengthen or shorten the elliptical route, the first locking bolts 32 are screwed out to an unlocking position, where the first latch segments 322 are disengaged from the adjustment holes 24 so as to permit movement of the couplers 31 along the respective positioning segments 232. Thus, the front rail ends 411 of the guide rails 41 are movable upwardly or downwardly relative to the swing rods 2. For example, when the front rail ends 411 is moved from point (A) to point (B), as shown in FIG. 4, a longer swing path (L2) is achieved so that a longer elliptical course can be obtained.

As illustrated, in the elliptical exercise apparatus of the present invention, the span between the footrests 42 and the elliptical paths of the footrests 42 can be adjusted to suit different operators.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangements. 

1. An elliptical exercise apparatus comprising: a main frame including a base support adapted to be supported on a supporting surface and having front and rear ends opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction, and an upstanding support connected to said front end of said base support; a crank assembly including a crank pin which defines a rotating axis, and which is mounted on said rear end of said base support, and a pair of crank shafts which are disposed diametrically opposite to each other relative to the rotating axis and which extend in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction; a pair of swing rods, each having a swing fulcrum which is pivotally connected to said upstanding support, and handle and lever portions disposed respectively at upper and lower opposite sides of the swing fulcrum, said lever portion being swung about said swing fulcrum, and having a bottom end and a positioning segment which is disposed between said bottom end and said swing fulcrum; a pair of couplers, each of which is mounted on and which is slidable along said positioning segment of a respective one of said swing rods; a pair of first locking units, each of which is disposed to arrest a sliding movement of a respective one of said couplers along said positioning segment of the respective one of said swing rods; and a treadle assembly including a pair of guide rails, each having a rear rail end which is pivotally connected to a respective one of said crank shafts, a front rail end which is pivotally connected to a respective one of said couplers, and a middle rail portion which is interposed between said front and rear rail ends, and which performs a reciprocating movement when said lever portion of a respective one of said swing rods is swung, a pair of footrests which are mounted on and which are slidable along said middle rail portions of said guide rails, respectively, such that by virtue of rotation of said crank shafts about the rotating axis, said footrests are alternately moved along reciprocating routes respectively, and a pair of linkages, each having front and rear pivot ends that are respectively and pivotally connected to said bottom end of a respective one of said swing rods and a respective one of said footrests such that said footrests are moved alternately and respectively along elliptical paths.
 2. The elliptical exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein said positioning segment of each of said swing rods has a plurality of adjustment holes displaced from one another along a lengthwise axis thereof, each of said couplers being in tubular shape, being sleeved on said positioning segment, and having a through hole which extends therethrough to be aligned with a selected one of said adjustment holes, each of said first locking units including a first nut member which has a first tapped hole and which is disposed on a respective one of said couplers so as to register said first tapped hole with said through hole, and a first locking bolt which has a first threaded segment that threadedly engages said first tapped hole, and a first latch segment that is disposed to extend from said first threaded segment such that, by virtue of screw movement of said first threaded segment in said first tapped hole, said first latch segment is movable between a locking position, where said first latch segment is inserted into a selected one of said adjustment holes, and an unlocking position, where said first latch segment is disengaged from the selected one of said adjustment holes so as to permit movement of the respective one of said couplers along the lengthwise axis.
 3. The elliptical exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said linkages includes front and rear tubular pieces which respectively have said front and rear pivot ends, and first and second connected ends that are telescopically fitted to each other so as to permit adjustment of a distance between said front and rear pivot ends, said treadle assembly further including a pair of second locking units, each being disposed to arrest movement of said first connected end of said front tubular piece relative to said second connected end of said rear tubular piece of a respective one of said linkages.
 4. The elliptical exercise apparatus of claim 3, wherein one of said first and second connected ends of said front and rear tubular pieces of each of said linkages has a plurality of adjustment holes displaced from one another along a lengthwise axis thereof, the other one of said first and second connected ends of said front and rear tubular pieces of each of said linkages having a through hole which extends therethrough to be aligned with a selected one of said adjustment holes, each of said second locking units including a second nut member which has a second tapped hole that is registered with said through hole, and a second locking bolt which has a second threaded segment that threadedly engages said second tapped hole, and a second latch segment that extends from said second threaded segment such that by virtue of screw movement of said second threaded segment in said second tapped hole, said second latch segment is movable to be inserted into a selected one of said adjustment holes or to disengage from the selected one of said adjustment holes so as to permit movement of said second tubular piece along the lengthwise axis.
 5. The elliptical exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein said crank assembly includes a wheel which has said crank pin mounted at a center thereof so as to be rotatable about the rotating axis, said crank shafts being disposed adjacent to a rim of said wheel. 